An Ideal Mixer Audio Interface for the Dawless Musician. Zoom Livetrack L 12 First Impressions
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- In this video, I talk about the options available for tracking and mixing a multiple synth setup for the everyday dawless musician, and also my first impressions of the Zoom Livetrack L 12 after using it for the past few weeks.
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I’d love a follow up on the zoom livetrack after 6 months of use. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
i second this. currently debating between a big audio interface like the scarlett 18i8 or a mixer/interface like the livetrak l12
I’m also curious to know how this compares with the Tascam Model 12 (which has MIDI and complete DAW integration too)…
Where is the follow up video? I would like to see this
It's 3 years later... many interfaces have got better - Mackie went the other way - (back in time), releasing big boards that are only 4 in and 4 out. Great video!
Very helpful. I bought one of these specifically because of this video, and I'm very happy with the L-12. Thank you!
That’s awesome! I’m glad this was helpful! See you around!
Would love an in depth review of the H6
Yes please
I’ve just gotten into synths and groove boxes recently and purchased the H6. Now going to order the add on for the extra two inputs. Would love a decent H6 overview from a synth/dawless perspective
La h6 no sieve como interface , they have a lot noise,,
im joining wait list
Just got one of these already and love it.
Zoom is AWESOME! I've owned the B3 & R8 for years. Great tools.
Grown to appreciate your reviews particularly out of other reviewers. You have become a fav. Keep doing it.
Thank you so much! I am both honored and humbled🙏🏼 I’ll keep doing my best brother, see you soon!
@The Midlife Synthesist by the way, haven't seen you do any vocoder with the microfreak, did you get the updates? I've never seen so many new features in a synth as an update.
Been using it for almost 6 month now, i have the L8 and L12, by far i cant imagine my setup without it now.
8 years with a ZoomR24, changed my life! No computers.
I’ve had it for a very short while, but I too think there’s no coming back.
We need a Zoom L12 vs Tascam Model 12 video. I have the Tascam 12 and while it does everything I need, it's got a pretty steep learning curve. I still have no clue how to get a stereo mix to my headphones lol.
I've been using the L-12 for my live synth sessions on UA-cam and for shows for the past 2 years now and it's been amazing and a lot of fun to use. For live shows I was switching scenes for different mixes in-between songs, but I stopped doing that because it pauses the audio while switches between saves and gets kind of annoying. But yeah, so great for UA-cam where I just record everything to the SD card and then sync the audio to my video footage. I have 8 DSI / Sequential synths hooked up to it and I only run short on inputs if I use individual outs from my Tempest, but that's an easy work around. However, major problem happened last week... my Livetrak L-12 blew up!!! Crazy stuff! I was just connecting the XLR cables from the Master Out to my KRK studio monitors and out of nowhere a huge fireworks show went off from the mixer. It's totally fried and the boards and ribbon cables inside are all charred up and frayed. I contacted Zoom about it, sent them photos and they told me to send it in for a new one, free of charge. They said they've never heard of that happening before. Either way, total bummer since I was in the middle of making a new UA-cam video to show the new Firmware update for my DSI - OB-6 and I'll be without a mixer for a while, but so rad that Zoom is taking care of the situation and sending me a new unit. But yeah, I also totally recommend it for synth users who don't use a computer. I did the quick mod of using the headphone jacks for aux effects on my Strymon Big Sky and it works great, just takes a little finesse to get that dialed in right.
I heard the L-12 isn't so good for live performance, I'd really like to hear how you feel about it now after some more experience. 🙂
Glad I watched this- I have a LiveTrak L-8 and it never occurred to me to patch one of the headphone outputs back into my MPC for sampling! Thanks for the tip!
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching bro!
I Love my Zoom L-12... I've had it since release and no problems ever... I run 2 Behringer RX1602 rack mixers into it with 2 samson 48 channel patch bays to rewire when needed. Perfect setup for me.
I didn’t even know that existed, and now I need it🤣 damn my GAS
@@MidlifeSynthesist I have the L-12 rackmounted with the adapter and needed a few more channels. I didn't want to get the bigger L-20 and lose rack space so the RX1602's were the answer. Gives me more flexibility when using external FX and compressors too.
I use a Korg D3200 with a 2Seemy video card as a visual monitor. It's MIDI synced to an Akai MPC X. I record into the Korg, then sample the recorded tracks into the X, where I chop it and add EFX. It's a nice DAWless setup. Of course it all winds up in a computer anyhow but the creation is computer free.
Great video, I just received my Zoom L-20 mixer today I will be connecting it to my Toft Audio design series 16 Channel console mixer I use to record my tracks for the warm sound connecting The Zoom will come in handy so I can record all 16 tracks individually into the Zoom mixer to record my tracks its Totally the best option for those who want to go Dawless and export tracks individually into your DAW for more effects plugins and engineering~
Dawless is a word that fails it users most times, this mixer is performance oriented.
You do a good job explaining this and I'm not criticizing your use, just how ambiguous the word has become.
I absolutely love my H6 and see the L12 as the only logical upgrade.
Great video.
Have had L 12 since May 2020. Absolutely love it. Use it as standalone recorder without hooking up to computer. Then export files to USB flash drive. Believe this piece of equipment has more possibilities not explored yet. Being lightweight and portable can move from room to room where other keyboards are. Would recommend!
Thanks for sharing! I agree, it’s ridiculously lightweight and feature packed! Really happy so far, see you around✌🏻
Excellent review.
A short while back, at the 10th anniversary of the Octatrack, Cenk made a video and behind our beloved Octatrack there was a cool mixer and no computer. I didn’t know what it was, the product wasn’t listed any place I saw on the UA-cam page, so I started looking in Google images for anything that looked like what I saw in the video and found it. If I hadn’t already bought the Soundcraft MTK 22 a year ago that mixer might have been just what was called for.
The great feature that you mentioned about a mixer that is a multi track USB interface, the MTK has that. It has reasonable onboard effects, a limiter but also four group channels and five aux outs.
in combination with a patchbay I connected to the MTK I can sample anything into my AR and my OT. That is a killer app so to speak being able to route anything into the mixer right into my the Octatrack, Whether it is my guitar my virus TI or some thing off of my iPad
The shortcoming compared to the live track is that there is no onboard recorder for the multi track or even for the stereo output. For this the USB capability will have to suffice. A bonus feature of the MTK is that you can treat your inputs as having a daw insert with plugins and route it back into the analog realm. I have had some latency issues with this approach so I do not use it a lot.
the Soundcraft MTK are def a great option, although i might go for the tascam, will do more reseach in order to make my decision
I thought this video was about the ZOOM L 12
I have the Zoom L-20 for a year now maxed it out with a few old Edirol M-10MX units and Lexicon mx400's and its the best setup so far for my synth
studio.
Just ordered A L12 ive looked at loads of mixers..I even had a Music 1010 blue box which I sent back..
I was going to go for the Tascam 12 with midi and blue tooth but the Zoom L12 for me is the best option..also looks great...
Thanks for making my mind up..
That’s awesome bro! I’m glad I could help! This thing unexpectedly changed my entire music making process in a very positive and satisfying way, I hope it does the same for you!
@@MidlifeSynthesist HI ,
I hope you are well and are doing good in your new home...
I am well impressed with the L12
..it has more inputs then I need but it was very easy to get up and running and the menus are easy to work.
I even recoreded my first jam with the microfreak and a Tr8s...
Impressed with the onboard effects too..but saying the my Zoom stomp pedel is staying....
Jim (uk).
I’ve had the L8 and for a couple months, love it so far. I wish it had compressor knobs on it too. 😌
Damn!
yeah finding an ideal mixer/interface solution for synths and drum machines is quite a challenge
Everything is either too DJ orientated or full band focussed... what we want is something in the middle... with all the features of all of them!
This wasn't on my radar, but it looks like it certainly has some advantages!
Look forward to your full review and I hope it keeps inspiring you with your workflow!
Thank you my friend!
Record, compressor each track, w/t effects, hit the chip and then into the box for the finish. Anything needing to be rerecorded, hit the interface direct into the daw with plugins ! Better price than most interfaces, recording without computer ahhh ! Leaving the eng to monitor the room and help in the music more ! More complication in the studio is a looser, ease of use is a winner !
Really nice and heartfelt explanation and first impressions. Thanks Midlife Synthesist!
Thank you so much! You are too kind, I wish you the best and hope to see you again!
I got the L 20 because you always need more channels. Overall very happy, suits my dawless workflow. Latency with Logic is 8,9 ms which is big but manageable. It also lacks aux returns but there's an easy way around with the aux mixes. Excellent value for money.
I was really torn between the 12 and 20! Finally went with the L 12 for the footprint and saving the extra bucks, but I can definitely see myself going for the L 20 eventually lol. I agree on the latency being pretty high as an audio interface, especially compared to my scarlett 18i20. I’ve been using it mainly with the built in recorder and later drop the tracks on my daw for finishing touches. Loving it so far! Thanks for dropping my a line✌🏻
You are in for many years of uninterrupted recording sessions. No, you won't find any problems unless you want ultra-resolution higher than 24/96. For the musician/engineer the LIveTrack is the ONLY recorder with metering per track. Anyone who doesn't think that is a GIGANTIC advantage over any other recorder, hasn't been recording very long. Discovered this studio scenario 8 years ago with a ZoomR24 (livetracks were not a thought in Zoom's head) I have been recording without a computer and never have a latency or error problem in all the 8 years. My Zoom has NEVER failed me, this means zero troubleshooting during creative times. The Zoom has changed my life, since going 100% hardware; 70 albums recorded; previously with a DAW, zero albums. AND...if I ever want to post process a finished song...USB transfer of all tracks to a DAW in standard WAV. This is the only way musicians should be recording.
Dude! That is EXACTLY what I was hoping for with this!! Friggin awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your experience my friend, it’s gonna be fun times for sure✌🏻
@@MidlifeSynthesist Just remembered, I never use the Zoom built in effects or processors, did not like the sound of them on my R24......BUT....I just purchased three Zoom MS70cdr effects pedals this year for the axillary loops of my mixers because they sounded so good. Hopefully those effects will come in the LiveTrack series. If yes, my gosh, that will be a good mixer/recorder. Please let us know what you think of the compressor and effects if you have the time for another video some day.
I use its little brother, the L-8, and it’s great for using with Eurorack because it has 4 tracks with a -26db volume cut, freeing up the need for so many attenuators. 🥳
This channel is such a nice find! Well made video, great presentation and very informative. Great job. Looking forward to more content!
Thank you so much! Cheers mate!
My search led me to Zoom as well, though a lower end one. The Zoom R16 is an 8 mono (tracks can be paired for stereo easily) input mixer / recorder that can act as an interface (haven't tried that, as my computer isn't with my synths). Being able to record all of that at once, while balancing volume and panning is killer.
Absolutely! Being able to record and control the mix on the panel has really made my music making much quicker, since it literally takes seconds to get everything just right👍🏼 thanks for watching and dropping me a line bro! Stay safe!
i got the bigger brother zoom R24. i record to sd often. its nice to track and idea right while the moment is still fresh. and you will be surprised how much you can fit on a 32gb sd card. using it as an interface is great, plus every button, knob, and fader is midi mappable. i used it to control my DAW. i only wish i could record to sd while still using it as an interface.
Nice one dude. I'm going DAWLESS and back to my hardware roots because I just cam't stand staring into the screen, it's not inspiring, so I need as much control and options as possible. I think this might do it. Thank you
L-12 is a very useful dawless/live tool but for studio recording, the preamps on it make all my synths sound muddy. It is also a very noisy mixer, and mine get all sorts of wacky power noise depending on what and how I have things connected. However, it's a needed sacrifice. Just for convenience sake. It's very useful to be able to Dawless multitrack record
I experienced the same thing by plugging into the 1/4 inch monitor out LR. I was thinking it was a bad cable but it could very well be a noisy input. Overall that is the only problem I have with that as well.
Agree the H6 is a modern classic. The L 12 is awesome as well although so is its lil brother the L-8, and it runs on AA’s.
Great video 👍
This dude puts out great information. I LOVE my Tascam Mixcast 4. It does mix minus to mix in phone calls from desk phones as well as cell phones. It has affects, 4 mic channels, high res. recording on multi channels, compression and full EQ per channel, filters, line in, aux in and monitor out and line out for your camera. Oh, and the mic pre-amps are fabulous!
These Zooms look so appealing! I almost pulled the trigger on an L8, but ended up going another route, losing only the SD-card recording at a much lower price: an old Mackie Onyx 820-i for 75 euro. The one caveat (that also makes it so cheap on the used market, I think) is that it's firewire instead of USB. I still have a desktop PC, so I simply bought a PCI-e firewire card (30 euro) and couldn't be happier. Good pre-amps, 8 track recording, two aux busses for sending signals around (to samplers if you want), intuitive controls, and everything except recording works without a computer. The rest of the Onyx-i series is even more feature rich and can be found inexpensively on the used market as well. If you still have a computer with firewire, or a way to add it, have a look at these guys.
For a while, I went the way of getting an 8-channel firewire audio interface (Mackie Onyx Blackbird). It worked well, but ended up being so much more work to actually use than a mixer that I went back to a mixer-based setup. Now I'm using a 2-channel audio interface for recording and a Mackie 1642 vlz4. Works pretty dang well, though it takes up a lot of space. I am able to get a very clean signal with a very large dynamic range, though, so it's been very nice.
Edit: tight! I used a two-channel Zoom handheld mic for a very long time before I decided to step up to more than two channels. It was able to make some incredibly impressive field recordings, makes me want to get back into that. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Those multiple headphone outs seem like an extremely powerful tool, that's up to 10 total outputs if you make use of stuff like TRS to 2x TS Y cables. Very powerful for processing/looping/sampling.
I have been with the L8 since the dawn of my synthesis journey. I think they are amazingly user friendly. Doesn't require a deep dive into a manual.
Allen and Heath sq6, that's what I have and it checks all the boxes and I love it
I just bought one of these and I love it. I am hoping to be streaming some live techno soon : }
Awesome bro! Looking forward to it✌🏻
Fantastic video as always. Just a brilliant channel too.
Thank you so much!!✌🏻
"Samplers can be friends too" yessir
i was very close buying it, bought the 1010 bluebox instead which isn't an audiotnterface, but does exactly the same and its eurorack compatible! i really love it. it takes 5 times less room. its an amazing lil digital mixer which is getting better and better after each update!! but the l 12 is great as well of course
I use an X-32 rack which allows me to live mix with effects, compression etc as well multitrack record up to 32 channels via USB at 48k. Best of both worlds.
who makes that?
@@faxanadu1786 Behringer
But can it record without a computer? Cause that's what this video is all about.
@@Ni5ei If you replace the USB card, there is a card that will multitrack directly to SD card. You can also record a stereo track to the USB port on the top/front of the device. The other option would be to rout audio out to another recording device via the analog outs.
I love zoom, but I think for my needs I'm gonna go with the model 12! Seems to fulfill all I need it to do since my music is simple!
I am using my L12 as a pure dawless mixer since more than 2 years. It is the best solution to me, allthough it has many disadvantages. But that is dawless ;)
I am using this gear for Live recording, Live Streaming through OBS and it is working excellent. I am able to deliver live recording along with Video at the venue itself. No post production. Only drawbacks are the effects, which can not be different for different tracks. Otherwise it is working like a charm.
Thx for the vid. I agree. I used the L12 to do a live recording of my band. Then I just popped the sd card into my PC and mixed it and mastered it in my DAW (reaper). I Love the L12. Thx again. AC
The feature of a non-recorder gear to record to an on-board SDCard is relatively new and I admit it is a killer feature. I switched recently my mixer from an old and cheap Behringer Xenyx 12 channel w/ FX to Roland MX1, because I recently sold almost everything and kept my Roland gear, plus few small Korgs. MX1 makes much more sense to my current setup and wish it had the on-board memory card recording feature. But MX1 is old. Roland put it in MV1 and I am jealous. But I use Zoom R8 to record the final mix. I don't need individual channels kept, so the setup works for me. But kudos to Zoom for this mixer. I like it.
I bought the L8 a few months back when I decided to go DAWless. It is by far my favorite non-synth part of my studio! Only regret I have is that I should've bought the L12 because Im currently using all 8 inputs lol.
Yes, good question. I'm going interface way. In particular UAD. Started with Apollo Twin X. 2-because
Put the L12 out in front of the Apollo Twin X, most video's of UA plugin show a recorded track then add UA and it's plugin's ! Wow watch the sound boom ! I use a F4 to track, then into the daw world for the in-box-mix ! UA is powerful tool, 8 tracks in UA world $3,600 plus, say 4k, great option ! The L12 $ 599 ? Record in the L12 and mix in the daw UA style, can you tell the difference ! Even if you can, can the listener ? Not @ 44.1 16 bit audio. Standard. some say kHz 16 bit, in consumer head phones or speakers ? In a car
''samplers can be friends too'', love it.
Was diggin for decades for the guy is strugglin with alike difficulties)) Thank you! Sometimes i just need to know im not alone))) thanx for the hint!
It’s great! I bought the L8 for live work and the multiple I/O, with a recorder. Very flexible and the L8 can be be USB and battery powered. Great for outdoor and mobile convenience. 💕 🇦🇺
Zoom makes some great stuff. I have used my Zoom Q8 camera to video and record gigs and it works great. The portable audio recorders like the H6 are great, too. I have been drooling over the L12 mixer for a while now and it is on my list.
i was looking so long for a video like this, simple explanations and the perfect answer to all my questions about what interface to get. thanks a lot for that
I got Korg MW-2408, its an excellent Midi Studio Mixer with 8 Mono, 8 (+1) Stereo, 4 Aux outs (2 mono, 2 stereo), 8-Sub Outs (4 stereo), I have line out to Tascam Tape Rack for Tape recordings, as well as audio interface 8x8 connection via patchbay. Easy routing.
Thanks..I do have the same exact issue right now.Samplers,instruments,turntables,tape,,and a few DAWs I plan to use,like Reaper and Acid,and trying to consolidate all this hardware,etc,etc..I will have a look at this Zoom..
The color in this video is interesting.
This was very helpful and answered all my questions about multiple-instruments, headsets, recording, special effects, and more. Thank you!
After watching hundreds of reviews on different options late 2019 I ended up buying the L20 - a decision with no regrets at all. Great content, and you come across as a very sympathetic and genuine person. Love your videos and hope to meet you in the flesh in Khao Lak, Thailand some day soon, when international travel is back in full swing. Love and light from sunny Thailand 🇹🇭 ☀️🏝 Franky
Superb vid ,a vid ive been searching for ...this area of tech had me very confused as there are so many devises and vids out there...you explained this in a easy to understand way..
Thanks ...
Thanks - this mixer was exactly what I have been looking for my dawless setup and this review was also exactly what I needed to see it in a synth studio setting. Timing smiled on me I snapped up a used one 2 weeks after watching your video. It's only day 2 but loving the UI & onboard multitrack recording. the onboard reverbs aren't that nice to my ears - very metallic and grainy, but that's not a huge problem. time to get a nightsky :)
Really enjoying your channel, thanks and keep 'em coming!
Easier recording, mixing, inputs, organising, sampling, instrument convenience, etc. means better music production, quicker idea capturing, less messing about and losing vital inspiration, and best of all, the capability to have a lot more fun with added individual expression in your final mixes.
I think the new wave of dawless hardware heavy production is exactly why these mixers are making a comeback, I'm not saying all mixers are great though, I've just always been a massive Zoom fan, they make affordable, high quality gear and it's always really intuitive & easy to master, I'm even one of the few people that own a Zoom ARQ--48 and actually enjoy using it haha! especially when jamming and laying down tracks on my L-8!
You must be a mind-reader. Because of your Keystep 37 vid and others, I'm setting up a cool little dawless-jam setup (Circuit, MPC One, Model:Samples, Uno Synth, Sonicware LIVEN, and Microfreak)... and needed this video, haha. :) I have an 18i20 as well, and just picked up an ADAT (ADA8200) with a long ADAT cable, so now I'm rocking 16 channels, and the setup can be far from the computer setup thanks to the 25' ADAT cable. That said, that Zoom L12 looks DOPE, and has some killer features. Excellent work as always, my friend.
Thank you so much bro! That’s an awesome setup your building there! Be sure to share it with the world! Cheers!
Would love to see examples of using various samplers with the L-12 too.
I use a combination of a mixer Yamaha mg12xu for live jamming, clarett 4 pre interface for recording to my daw and a patch bay where every single piece of gear has its own set of connections on the front panel allowing me to send anything anywhere I need to. For example I can insert a reverb or effect pedal between any of my synths and mixer or interface. I can individually record a synth track to my interface (up to 8 at a time) straight into my daw. I can sample any of my instruments to my mpc live or pull samples from my computer. I highly recommend investing in a patch bay it’s really become the hub of my studio giving endless options for routing audio anywhere you need without needing to wear out the jacks on your synths. Oh and the H6 is also one of my favourite pieces of gear. Perfect for field recording too on top of fast and easy on the go multitrack recording.
Your content is good mate but 95% is focused on your face and you barely cover any hardware with good detail. Just some feedback
I have used a Zoom H4 as a 4-tracks audio interface for years, and it has always served me as the best of workhorses.
I would invest in a more elaborate Zoom product in a heartbeat.
looks like a good option in its price range, many useful features. last year i was in the market for a 12-16 ch mixer for synthesizer studio to expand the track count beyond the 8 of my apollo interface. after much shopping around and researching i had the roland vm3100 on my shortlist and managed to pick up one up in mint condition for just $100. there really are some amazing deals to be found on both the new and used mixer market. thanks for your initial thoughts on this piece of gear, was a good watch.
Deff do a follow up on this. Your getting really good at producing your video. Their allways fun and witty
Looking forward to the next video on this and your workflow and setup. Very cool. Subbed.
you just sold me on this thing when you got to the part about samplers
Fantastic video and great Insights - thank you for sharing this mate! Have thought about upgrading from my old Olympus LS-5 recorder some time in the future so this recommendation for the H6 comes in handy 😁
Dude, the H6 would be ideal for your setup! I’ll try to make that video soon👍🏼
@@MidlifeSynthesist Awesome! 🙌🏻
I used to have a Zoom but the available desk space in my studio kept getting smaller and smaller. I sold it and got a 1010 Bluebox and I'm pretty happy with it. Then again, most of my gear is compatible with the small TRS stereo inputs. I get 6 stereo tracks (or 12 mono) and it can take a direct Eurorack signal without issue. Plus it records direct to SD card.
Been eyeing bluebox is it worth it more or the same than an average mixer like this or the tascam model series mixers?
I plan to remain dawless, but I want to record each channel separately in case anybody wants to remix me later. So I'm looking for an interface with a decent amount of inputs, somewhere around 7-10, and thus the Scarlett 2i2 is too limiting for me. I could go with a bigger Scarlett or something similar, but I also prefer working with a more traditional mixing board, and I don't want to have _both_ a bigger interface _and_ a bigger mixer. So I'm happy to learn something like this exists!
❤️
Great video! Got one! Love it! While I also record onto my DAW system, I love the L-12 for its simplicity, remote recording (record in any room easily, and its unencumbured recording ability - that is, 'look Ma, no DAW.' Nice thing, too, is the ability to mix down your Zoom L-12 multi-channel recording, with EFXs, I might add, to the 2-channel "Master" fader then save to HD Card as a finished, stereo recording. NICE! I would also recommend getting the Zoom FS-01 footswitch, which will give you the flexibility to punch-in (any or multiple channels) hands-free. A wonderful machine at an amazing price point.
Do you know what is even better than the Zoom L-12? The Zoom L-20, what I have. It has 20 channels (+ the stereo mix), 2 effects processors and 6 of those individual outputs... :) So all what this device has and some more. I've had it since 2018 and just love it. I have been using it as you describe, but also as a live mixer for several live acts (and the L-20 has also support for remote control via iPad). It is just perfect. And you can use the individual mix outs also as effect loop outs. Each one is even stereo, so one of the six can be used with a stereo effect with a insert cable (you need 2 input channels as returns, but the L-20 has plenty of those).
And I have to mention, that I also have a Zoom UAC-8, a 19" rack audio interface AND a Zoom H6... they are all great (and as you can tell I have been pretty happy with Zoom, as I have 3 devices from them that work as audio interfaces... I use the UAC-8 in my home studio, the Livetrak L-20 in my "actual studio" built in a garage and on my live shows, and the H6 I use when I need something more portable.
Interesting video TMS, thank you. Another Zoom product worth looking at might be the R24 Recorder / Interface / Controller / Sampler, just like an old-fashioned 8 track but in a digital format. Can record in 24bit and 96KHz sampling rate.
This is nice... but still not quite there for me.
My dream mixer would be 12-channel analog, arranged in six stereo pairs. Each channel would have a dedicated compressor, analog filter bank, and two fx sends. Also, borrowing from DJ mixers, Id want a HP/LP analog sweepable filters that could be controlled individually or as a group.
The icing on the cake would be post fader/compression A/D converters and a full 18-channel ADAT output (each stereo channel + stereo sends + main bus) and a pci-e audio interface so that you can dump all 18-channels directly into your daw with almost zero latency.
My personal thought is that one of the bigger synth companies should build it. It would be a massive hit. Imagine it... the “Arturia (??) Performance Synth Mixer” or “Arturia PSM-12”.
The iSpark app spoiled me with its mixer options. I’m with you on this!
I bought the Roland MX-1 and a converter to be able to use the digital channel as a stereo channel as well. It has nice performance capabilities.
It doesn’t record to SDcard, but can record every channel separately to the DAW. It can also be configured as a control surface
I’ve has my eye on the mx-1 forever! How do you like it in a live setup with a few synths?
@@MidlifeSynthesist it helps if you have some Roland synths (boutique synths are also included) because those connect over USB and thus don’t
Take up one the four mono and two stereo inputs.
The beat effects are nice to add sidechain to any of the connected synths. Sequenceable master FX are also nice.
Every channel has one knob for high and low pass filtering. That works well. Panning gain etc.. is done by selecting a channel and turning a separate value knob.
I mostly just change settings on the MX-1 until I have a nice loop. Unfortunately all USB mixers only record separate channels pre effects so I mostly don’t record it, since te effects are a huge part of the loop. The stereo out can be recorded with effects but the you don’t have the stems
@@FuZZbaLLbee thanks for the detailed answer! Really appreciate you taking the time👍🏼 sounds like its really fun to jam with!
@@MidlifeSynthesist yeah it is. It’s also nice that the MPC live has 6 mono or 3 stereo out channels. This way I looped the aux out and in of the MX-1 trough the MPC, so I can use the MPC as a digital effects pedal as well
Mannnnnnnn I’m glad I found your channel thank you for all your awesome info
Well explained on all the buttons and their functions 😅. Thank you.
Would love to see a video on the routing of the monitor outs. Or an in-depth review of the L 12.
Hi bro! I’ll definitely do a follow up video after having used it for a while longer so I get past the honey moon phase and can give an honest review with all the good and the bad. See you then✌🏻
@@MidlifeSynthesist Awesome, I would appreciate it. I am currently using an MPC Live 2, Hydrasynth, and Model Cycles. and looks like the L-12 would be awesome to have for recording and just to use as a mixer.
I am using the built-in recorder of L120 as backup recording for my vlog recording and it has saved my life today as my logic recording got corrupted.
I'm really interested in this. I'd love to see the more nerdy side of transferring the audio to DAW and using it as an audio interface before purchasing if you were interested in making another video on it. I have been trying to make the expert sleepers es-9 work for awhile with eurorack but it's been very buggy for me (8 bit audio bit reduction glitch and general connectivity problems with windows. I think I have a busted unit maybe). Anyways, this seems like a great alternative to not mess with computers when tracking, although, I'm assuming you would have to abandon clock sync to DAW. The multi track + clock sync with CV tools was the hope for me with ES9
Would you still recommend the Zoom L 12 in 2024?
loved your delivery. thank you
Love all the easy way you make your videos ❤️. Good video
I did a really depth research on mixer audio interface before I got mine and I choose the #TascamModel12 same price as the #LiveTrak and gives more, mixer /audio interface/ midi controller yes, you control the ableton an other daw mixer via midi.
12 MTR usb recorder and out return to the mixer, independent track eq + compressor, effects panel and more.
P.d. I'm not sponsored. 🤪
Thank you so much! I would’ve loves to try the TASCAM out but they have been out of stock forever where I live. Sounds awesome! Thanks for watching and your kind feedback!
@@MidlifeSynthesist you are going to love it. And keep doing the videos the way you are doing it. Fresh💪
I've been using a trusty old Zoom H4n (non-pro) as my main synth recorder, which is great as synth line level needs no amplification from the noisy preamps. In fact, I usually even attenuate the signal a bit.
And I like taking advantage of the fact that some of my synths have stereo ins and outs and built-in stereo mixers, effectively daisy-chaining audio through several pieces of gear that eventually end up in a single synth with a stereo output, and then I send it into effects and do my recording from there. I end up with a final mix with effects that just needs the occasional level adjustment in post processing and it's good to go.
However, to make that process a bit easier and with additional control, especially of pan, I also did get an audio mixer, settling on a Soundcraft EPM6 just over a year ago. I didn't know anything about mixers, and so I didn't want to get anything too fancy in case I'd not get along with that way of working at all. You just never know.
Of course, after using that for over a year, it has become clear to me the mixer I really wanted was a Zoom Livetrak, and probably the L-12. It just ticks all the boxes. Sometimes, when you record a full mix with effects, it may have the immediacy of the improvised patching, but it could still do with some remixing, or - more often - there are sounds in there that I'd likely never be able to replicate that I'd have loved to use for something non-improvisational. Always recording individual pre-effect tracks would open up many possibilities.
Also, the L-12 would effectively replace three devices on my desk: my mixer, my H4n, and my audio interface which only has 2 in and isn't that useful for much.
Great video as always.
please do a video on the h6
ThX looking forward to your further thoughts on th L12. Been studying it since she arrived on this Big Blue Whole Note !. 😀🎸✌🙏🙌☝
Love my l-12.
just putting it out there, that Zoom have been doing this with their portable and not so portable larger mixers like the R16/24 for over a decade. it wouldnt be hard to research the features you need for your workflow, and discern the capabilities of the gear you have on hand.
Im all for dawless AND daw workflows (i start dawless and jump onto ableton for mastering with Live Push configurations controlling HW... meaning the project building process has Ableton Push performance in mind (predominately for song sequencing, as it records my live jams without issue)
... this process of having different configs is a necessity to manage studio and desk space, time, budget, PC resources and latency and player XP LOL ...
In any case, one will need to work out how, as an example , theyre going to connect 2x 16ch workstations, 2x 8 ch workstations, 3x 2ch synths, 8 random synths and route them to a PC with only 8 audio tracks available to you...
The MC707 acts as a hybrid mixer going to the PC via USb, and an R16 is connecting the rest of the gears audio to the Pc, also via USB.
If going live, i simply connect a stereo out from the MC (still acting as a hybrid mixer) to the R16...
If im feeling lazy though I just stick with basics like the MC, tb3 and Gaia...All 3 of those are connected to the PC via USB directly and act as individual components with each having their own respective audio output channels allocated in Ableton. If im REALLY feelin silly, I can route the tb3 into the Gaia, which then goes into the MC or PC as a stereo track, saving 2 more Mc channels.. if that makes sense...
. In any case this frees up the channels on the MC707 which the Tb and Gaia would normally be using.. so where one could need a 10 channel mixer (plus audio and midi cabling) to use these 3 devices effectively, now only needs 3 usb cables...
You can see where the efficiency of working with a daw gives rise to their popularity and constant evolving nature, and you can see the cost difference between Hw and Sw... and why its important to understand how it all works before buying something you might not even need...
So what you have there, is 3 (close to 4) different midi and audio connection config options.. being USB direct, MC707 acting as effect processor and mixer, and direct mixer interface with an R16... ALL of which offer individual track recording in hardware on the R16 or on Ableton...
...and like I said, this ability to multitrack recording isnt new at all...
Point im making is that everyones config is different for their gear and their different needs...
Dont get me wrong, these mixers are great, but more often than not, you'll find that not everyone has the budget for them, or the knowledge of how these units need to play nicely together (let alone set them up to do just that)
. Even more prominant than that, with the USB midi and audio, plus MIDI2 on its way into all the newer gear, mixers will soon become obsolete...
Another issue is that you will quickly run out of channels... so always buy a mixer that has at least 30-50% more channels than you currently need... if u need 8 tracks, buy a mixer with 12 channels.. need 12 tracks? buy a mixer with 16 channels...
futureproof your investment...
... in the end, one needs to understand wtf it is they NEED to do vs what their gear and sw can ACTUALLY do, without blowing cash...
Good luck people, keep it banging!
I was eyeing up one of those Livetracks last year and then I found a deal on a b-stock Allen & Heath QU32 that I couldn't pass up. The Livetrack does look like a great mixer though.
I bought a used A&H QU-16 last year! Using as my interface though, I've been unsuccessful with. I haven't bought the hardware to try using QUDrive yet though.
@@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup why have you not been successful with the interface? I've found it great, very stable, very low latency. QUDrive is great for multitrack recording of jams too. For me its pretty much the perfect mixer. Bonus points for being able to use sidechain compression while jamming too. It definitely adds a nice layer of production value to simple jams.
@@BecomingProductions it could be user error. And the on-line tutorials haven't helped me either. Not intuitive for my brain I guess? My DAWs show it connecting, but it won't record through the DAW! (And yes, I've posed these questions on the QU forums on FB and on tutorials here on UA-cam). There's something I'm not grasping and comprehending! I have a massive effects array that I program, but parts of this mixer elude me! I also forget how to access the graphic EQ section!
Good suggestion.
I own an H6 but have been looking for something like this - I.e. a multitrack recording interface in a more traditional mixer form factor.
You’re describing my problem:
I have a PolyEnd Tracker, 2 synth modules, and a keyboard synth (8 inputs total bc for stereo). I also need an input for a vocal mic.
Now I’m really considering the Zoom.
I have the H5. That Zoom Livetrack looks nice. That would be great for my drums.
for drums, youd actually be better off with a F6 unit or something which gives you 32bit float... has all the features this does albeit lesser channels but the 32bit float will work better in variable environments and mic configs without having to constantly monitor ...
Great vid!!
Yes please do a Zoom H6 review!
I want that device so bad!
Big thanks
Thank you for watching!
Hi, yes on more about the Zoom H6. Thanks.
That Livetrack does look pretty incredible, especially for the price. ...that’s a lot of monitoring you can do on that. Lots of creative usage possibilities with all that monitoring out.
I personally have no issue with just recording the stereo master track. My interest these days is mainly in playing. I’m done with agonizing over individual tracks in a mix....or tweaking individual notes in a track...ug. Turn everything on, tweak the mixer a bit, hit record and go for it....and I’m done with it.
Yes! Electronic instruments are still instruments, and making music is about playing with your instrument, not agonizing. I gave up making music 20 years ago because software was the only way I could afford to make the music I wanted to make, and doing it in software took all the fun out of it. Now that dawless is a thing for electronic music, I'm back baby!
Would really like to see how this stacks up against Tascam's Model 12 or 24, if you have any experience with those or would he able to review them in the future. Torn between Zoom and Tascam's offerings. Both seem really fun though.
Right, I have a model 12 but honestly thing I’ll sell it for an L12- no real sub mix options or 96k recording
Go the tascam... If anything, for midi implementation alone.. The newer tascams have a midi sync set up & usb 3.1 set up, meaning higher throughput & actual timing start /stop issues addressed. Older tascams & most of the zoom options don't have any options for managing timing protocols, meaning each respective track outside its main input recordings (ie multitracked recordings u wna sync with live playback already recorded ).. Ie, recordings over/with already prerecorded tracks aren't locked in time with each other.. This is the bane of these types of units til tascam released their newest units.
I was after dawless recording too. I got the Presonus StudioLive AR16c (what a name). I opted for it vs the Zoom because I did not want to have to look at the screen on the Zoom plus I thought the mic pres would be better on the Presonus. I'm after a live performance mixer. The presonus is too big to haul around. Perhaps I will try the 1010 Bluebox or drop some coin on an UAD Apollo with my laptop handling recording duties. if I do the UAD, I would probably just have it take over studio duties too.